CarBrief

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has 865 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and 10 recalls[2]. Owners in the complaint texts we read describe a reduced engine power warning, so a used buyer should check recall work and repair records[3].

865owner complaints[1]
10recalls[2]
26–46MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 865 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Malibu[1]. Of those, 24 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 17 injuries, and 1 reports a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners. One complaint can name more than one part of the car, so the groups below overlap.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[6] 313 51,000
Electrical system[7] 233 50,150
Unknown or other[8] 181 44,766
Power train[9] 174 42,500
Speed control[3] 158 60,000
Brakes[10] 108 60,000
Electronic stability control[11] 77 55,000
Fuel and propulsion system[12] 52 51,820

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where owners reported trouble, not how likely a problem is.

What owners describe. We read a small sample of complaint texts for the biggest groups. In the engine, speed control and power train samples, owners describe a "reduced engine power" warning that comes with the check engine light. They say the car slowed sharply, sometimes on a highway, and in some texts that dealers could not find the cause on the first visits[6][3][9]. Some of those texts mention accelerator pedal or sensor repairs[3]. In the electrical sample, owners describe stalling or a sudden loss of power, and a few describe the radio or infotainment screen cutting out[7]. In the power train sample, a couple of owners describe rough, abrupt downshifts that feel like bucking when slowing down[9]. This is a small sample, so it shows what kinds of reports exist and does not tell you how common any of them is.

Brakes has fewer complaints than the groups above, but 13 of its complaints mention a crash[10]. Engine has 5 crash mentions out of 313[6].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2016 Malibu[2]. Newest first. Some cover only a narrow build window, or only the hybrid, so your car may not be one of the affected ones.

None of these recall facts says the remedy is still pending.

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions with different engines. All are front-wheel drive and use regular gas. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Malibu Hybrid, 1.8L 4-cyl[4] 47 / 46 / 46 $1,450
1.5L 4-cyl turbo[23] 27 / 36 / 30 $2,250
Malibu Limited, 2.5L 4-cyl[24] 23 / 33 / 27 $2,500
2.0L 4-cyl turbo[25] 22 / 32 / 26 $2,600

The hybrid is far ahead of the rest at 46 combined MPG[4]. Among the gas engines, the 1.5L turbo gets 30 combined MPG[23], and the 2.0L turbo gets 26[25].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2016 Malibu 5 stars overall, 5 stars in the frontal test, 5 stars in the side test and 4 stars for rollover[5]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 10.2%[5]. The Malibu Eco listing shows the same ratings[26].

Engine and size

EPA lists these horsepower ratings for 2016 Malibu engines:

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so they can differ slightly from US cars.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
L/LS/LT 4-door sedan[31] 194 in 73 in 57 in 111 in 3,086 lb
Premier/Hybrid 4-door sedan[32] 194 in 73 in 57 in 111 in 3,386 lb
Limited 4-door sedan LS/LT/LTZ[33] 192 in 73 in 57 in 108 in 3,583 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

1997: 446 complaints, 4 recalls19971998: 981 complaints, 3 recalls1999: 793 complaints, 1 recalls2000: 933 complaints, 3 recalls20002001: 734 complaints, 2 recalls2002: 583 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 585 complaints, 2 recalls20032004: 1,697 complaints, 7 recalls2005: 1,393 complaints, 4 recalls2006: 1,387 complaints, 6 recalls20062007: 1,036 complaints, 3 recalls2008: 1,017 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 1,534 complaints, 5 recalls20092010: 1,365 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 978 complaints, 3 recalls2012: 907 complaints, 2 recalls20122013: 924 complaints, 11 recalls2014: 363 complaints, 6 recalls2015: 270 complaints, 3 recalls20152016: 865 complaints, 10 recalls86520162017: 725 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 711 complaints, 6 recalls20182019: 195 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 199 complaints, 1 recalls2021: 90 complaints, 2 recalls20212022: 99 complaints, 1 recalls2023: 71 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 43 complaints, 2 recalls20242025: 11 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Malibu model year. The 2016 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19974464
19989813
19997931
20009333
20017342
20025832
20035852
20041,6977
20051,3934
20061,3876
20071,0363
20081,0174
20091,5345
20101,3653
20119783
20129072
201392411
20143636
20152703
201686510
20177254
20187116
20191951
20201991
2021902
2022991
2023712
2024432
2025111

Among the neighboring years, 2016 stands out. It has 865 complaints, against 363 for 2014, 270 for 2015, 725 for 2017 and 711 for 2018[2]. Every year from 2019 on has fewer than 200[2]. Older Malibu years still have more: twelve of the model years from 1998 to 2013 are above 865 complaints, and 2004 is the highest at 1,697[2].

For recalls, 2016 has 10[2]. Only 2013 has more, with 11[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so use these numbers as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2016 Malibu?

The 2016 Malibu has strong crash ratings[5]. It also has a higher complaint count than the years next to it and 10 recalls[2]. In the complaint texts we read, owners describe a reduced engine power warning that drops speed on the road[6][3]. Before you buy, ask for proof that recall work was done and for repair records that show how any power-loss or check engine problem was handled. If you own one, find out which recalls apply to it and whether the work was done, because several recalls cover only certain build dates[16][19]. Gas mileage depends on the engine, and the hybrid is the efficient pick[4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA's biggest complaint groups are engine with 313 complaints and electrical system with 233[6][7]. In the sample we read, owners describe reduced engine power warnings that slow the car[6][3].
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 10 recalls[2]. They cover air bags, a fuel pump, the ignition park lock, stability control, seat belts, radio software and the hybrid service switch[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].
What MPG does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA combined ratings are 26 for the 2.0L turbo, 27 for the 2.5L, 30 for the 1.5L turbo and 46 for the Hybrid[25][24][23][4].
How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[5].
Is the 2016 Malibu worse than other Malibu years?
It has more complaints than 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018, but several older years have more, and only 2013 has more recalls[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 865 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu (24 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 17 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Malibu model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 158 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for Malibu Hybrid, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 47 city / 46 highway / 46 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 313 complaints name the engine component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 233 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,150). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 181 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,766). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 174 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 108 complaints name the brakes component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 77 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 52 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,820). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 21V649, filed August 20, 2021: Seat Belts › Rear / Other › Retractor. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 18V400, filed June 14, 2018: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 18V358, filed May 31, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 16V781, filed October 26, 2016: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 16V521, filed July 8, 2016: Hybrid Propulsion System. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 16V502, filed July 5, 2016: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 16V272, filed May 5, 2016: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 16V151, filed March 11, 2016: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 16V125, filed March 2, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 16V084, filed February 11, 2016: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  23. EPA rating for Malibu, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Malibu Limited, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for Malibu, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Chevrolet Malibu with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 160 hp. www.epa.gov
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Chevrolet Malibu with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 122 hp. www.epa.gov
  29. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Chevrolet Malibu with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 250 to 260 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  30. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Chevrolet Malibu with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 196 hp. www.epa.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MALIBU L/LS/LT 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,086 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MALIBU PREMIER/HYBRID 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,386 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  33. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MALIBU LIMITED 4DR SEDAN LS/LT/LTZ: length 192 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,583 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.